Home Security Inspection

The 67th Legislature of the State of Texas provided for the opportunity of a 5% to a maximum 20% reduction in premiums for those homes which meet the specific requirements as outlined in the Texas Insurance Code Article 5.33A, Section 6(a)(1), (2).

To qualify for this reduction your home must be inspected by a certified Home Security Inspector.  Officer Tony Valdez is certified thru the Texas Department of Insurance as a home inspector. Residents of the City of Dickinson can have their home inspected free of charge. The inspection consist of two visit to the citizens residence by Officer Valdez. The areas being inspected are the physical locks on the windows, doors and garage areas.  Officer Tony Valdez can be contacted at the Dickinson Police Department for appointments at 281-337-6370.

This Mandated Premium Reduction Certification is valid for a three-(3) year period, with renewal at the homeowners request for an additional three year period before a re-inspection is required. These requirements are considered as minimum and cannot be waived by the inspector. The following is a list of the requirements imposed by the above-mentioned statute that must be met prior to certification.

HOME SECURITY HARDWARE: Article 5.33A, Section 6(a)(1), Texas Insurance Code states:

A persons residence qualifies for a 5% discount on homeowners insurance premiums if the property meets the following specifications:

Exterior doors must be solid core doors that are 1 3/8 inches thick and must be secured by deadbolt locks. The deadbolt must lock with a minimum throw of one (1) inch and must penetrate a metal strike plate firmly secured to the doorframe. If a door secured with a deadbolt has breakable glass within forty (40) inches of the lock, the deadbolt lock must be a double cylinder (double keyed) deadbolt. (UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LIFE SAFETY CODE).

Deadbolt locks (as outlined above) must secure metal doors.

Double doors must meet specifications for exterior doors listed above in (1), and have the inactive door secured by header and threshold bolts that penetrate metal strike plates. If glass is located within forty inches of the header and threshold bolts, the bolts must be flush-mounted in the edge of the door.

Sliding glass doors are secured by secondary locking devices to prevent lifting and prying.

Dutch doors have a concealed flush-bolt locking device to interlock the upper and lower halves and a deadbolt lock as described in (1) above secures the door.

Garage doors are equipped with key-operating locking devices.

Windows are secured by auxiliary locking devices. An auxiliary locking device required by this section must include screws, wooden dowels, pinning devices, or key-operated locks. In areas where life safety codes permit, metal bars or grating, if mounted to prevent easy removal, may be substituted for auxiliary locking devices. Jalousie or louvered windows DO NOT meet the specifications of this section unless they have metal grating mounted as provided for above.

ALARM SYSTEMS: Article 5.33A, Section 6(a)(2), Texas Insurance Code states:

A persons residence qualifies for a 15% discount on homeowners insurance premiums if the property is equipped with an electronic burglar alarm that meets the following specifications

All exterior structure openings are contacted. (This includes ALL exterior windows and doors.)

The alarm system includes an interior AND exterior siren.

The alarm is monitored by a U.L. (Underwriters Laboratories) approved central station.

All alarms system equipment is U.L. approved.

All sales, service, installation and monitoring of the alarm system are done in compliance with the Private Investigations and Private Security Agencies Act (Article 4413 (29bb), Vernons Texas Civil Statutes).

The Texas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies licenses the Alarm Company.

Information concerning the licensing requirements and U.L. approval of alarm equipment can be obtained from your alarm company representative. THIS INFORMATION MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTOR AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION IN ORDER FOR THE ALARM SITE TO PASS.

The above requirements are mandated by the Texas Department of Insurance and will not be waived.

Some insurance companies are participating in an optional Property Identification Theft Reduction Program that can also be used for an additional 5% premium reduction.